Larry Shenk, Vice President of Alumni Relations, shares his notes, quotes and anecdotes from the world of baseball.

Big Swing Day

Yesterday was swing day. Two Phillies wins and a loss by the Marlins meant a 6.5 game lead. If the opposite occurred, the lead would be 3.5.

Thanks to the starters, Kyle and Pedro, the Phillies won both games. Last time they did that at home was a year ago today (Milwaukee). Combined, Kyle and Pedro gave up two runs in their time on the mound.

The bullpen was shaky again but picked up a save in each game. The offense continued to sputter. The one run in the second game was produced by the first three batters in the first. After that, zero.

Shane’s 10th homer in the first game made him the first player in the majors this year to reach double figures in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases. He fell two triples shy a year ago.

Stairs ClimbingMatt has moved into the Phillies record book. His five pinch homers this season match the club record set by 3B Gene Freese 50 years ago.

In his brief career in pinstripes, Stairs has hit seven pinch homers (regular season). That ties OF Ricky Ledee for second place on the club’s all-time list and leaves him two shy of the record set by OF Cy Williams.

Williams played 13 seasons with the Phillies (1918-30). Matt’s career so far is seven months.

In addition to receiving the awards, they will have a media session in the dugout, sign autograph for customers in the Hall of Fame Club and appear as a guest on Jim Jackson’s pre-game radio show.

Lakewood in FinalsLHP Matt Way, selected in the 5th round in June out of Washington State U., will start tonight at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood in the first game of the best-of-five South Atlantic League championship against the Greenville Drive (Red Sox). May won the first game Wednesday in the opening round against Kannapolis. RHP Trevor May won the second game. The Way-May boys.

After home games tonight and tomorrow, the series shifts to Fluor Field in Greenville, SC, for the rest of the series. All games begin at 7:05 p.m.

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